LSU football coach Brian Kelly shot down rumors of a serious injury to quarterback Garrett Nussmeier on Friday, Aug. 8.
Nussmeier, one of the top returning quarterbacks in college football, was speculated to have torn his ACL, according to numerous unconfirmed social media rumors. Kelly said those rumors are untrue to reporters on Aug. 8, even making a joke out of the situation.
‘Just for the record, he has tendinitis. Patella tendinitis,’ Kelly said. ‘He does not have a torn ACL, we have not amputated his leg. … He was out there today throwing, tomorrow he’ll be back out, most likely in a practice situation. Thought I’d calm everybody down.
A fifth-year senior, Nussmeier threw for 4,052 yards with 29 touchdowns to 12 interceptions last season in his first full year as LSU’s starter. The 6-foot-1 signal caller is also expected to be one of the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kelly likely calmed the nerves of many Tiger fans with his appearance to media on Aug. 8.
‘This is just chronic,’ Kelly said. ‘PO’d it a little bit. And we’ll calm it down. And the world is still round.’
Kelly wasn’t sure how the injury occured, but it seems to be nonetheless minor for Nussmeier. Kelly also added there are no long-term effects with the ailment.
‘I think he just planted the wrong way,’ the fourth-year LSU coach said. ‘When you have something that is a pre-existing condition, you can piss it off real easy. And that’s kind of what happened.’
Nussmeier, the son of longtime NFL coach Doug Nussmeier, is looking to lead LSU into the College Football Playoff after a 9-4 finish to the 2024 season.
While Kelly downplayed his injury, Nussmeier’s health will certainly be a storyline to watch as the 2025 season progresses.
LSU opens its season with a top-10 matchup against Clemson on Aug. 30.